Lesson #02

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Biblical Perspectives

September 21, 2015

Biblical Perspectives

September 21, 2015

Syllabus

February 12, 2010

RETURN TO MOTIVATIONAL GIFT SYLLABUS

Bible Perspectives: Gifts of Motivation
Lesson #02
“The Gift of Prophecy (Insight)”

• Homework Discussion
  • General Test Evaluation  (to go to instructions for the teacher)
    • This first test was a general evaluation that does not necessarily mean that what you marked as #1 is your gift. However, there is a high probability that your gift falls in the statements that you marked with #1, #2, or #3. There are a few exceptions that muddy the waters. This will become clearer as we progress through this study.
  • In our previous lesson I mentioned that your gift colors how you view life. For example:
    • =1= A person who has the gift of prophecy will see everything as either black or white, good or bad.
    • =2= A person who has the gift of teaching will search for truth in everything.
    • =3= A person who has the gift of exhortation will continually see the bright side and look for opportunities to encourage.
    • =4= A person with the gift of serving will approach reality with the question, “What can I do to help?”
    • =5= A person with the gift of giving (contributing) will always spend his time, talent, and money to meet the needs of others in whatever areas those needs fall.
    • =6= A person with the gift of administrating (facilitating) will see the broad, overall picture of life and how things should be organized.
    • =7= A person with the gift of mercy will easily recognize the hurts in people that need love.

 

• Class Lesson: #1 The Gift of Prophecy (Insight)

 

• You are going to listen to a description of one gift each week. As you listen, think only about yourself and how best the description fits you. Do not think about your spouse or your children. Our primary purpose is to identify your gift.

 

• The Definition of the Gift of Prophecy:

 

• This gift is the ability to see things as they really are and the ability to discern people’s inner motives. This is a person who prays over, professes, and promotes the will of God.

 

• The Characteristics of the Gift of Prophecy:

 

• This gift sees life in extremes

.

• A person with this gift sees things in terms of black and white, right or wrong, appropriate or not appropriate, true or false, in the will of God or out of the will of God.
• A person with this gift sees life as a matter of choices where it is important that people actively choose right and actively avoid wrong. Compromise is not an option. He always tends to answer “yes” or “no” and seldom “maybe”. He has definite opinions about almost everything.
• This person does not always present his opinion gently. However, the Christian with this gift usually seeks God’s help in forming his convictions.
• This is a gift of perception or insight

.

• This person easily perceives how spiritual a group or person really is. He has a unique sensitivity as to what is going on in person’s life.
• He is eager for people to repent and then have their lives prove their change of heart. All people have blind spots or weaknesses. (Luk 6:41-42) This person easily perceives them.
• Call to repentance

:

• Most people avoid problems. We do not view problems as stepping stones to maturity. This is not true of those with this gift.
• This person sees negative events as great opportunities to work repentance and trust in God for life. He sometimes weeps outwardly when he sees someone involved in sin, because those with this gift feel the heart of God.
• This is a people-oriented gift

.

• However, often a person with this gift lacks friends.
• Many people with this gift go though life with one or two good friends or none at all.
• Because this person has high standards, other people often do not measure up to his standards.
• Many times other people feel intimidated by the presence of this person especially if he has a sharp tongue.
• Bible orientation

:

• This person studies the Bible a lot and discovers that God often speaks to him through specific scriptures.
• He is able to extract principles from the Bible to apply to life.
• He is a person of principle in all aspects of his life.
• He discerns the plan of God and does not let personal desires prevent that plan from becoming a reality.
• A characteristic phrase that this person often says is, “You need to let go of your plans and discover God’s plan!”
• Outspoken

:

• This person is often bold and outspoken and frequently without regard for public opinion.
• Because this person has strong convictions, he is very persuasive when he speaks.
• This person is often in trouble with others because he is very outspoken and sometimes hurts people with his words.
• This person motivates others by appealing to their conscience.
• Because of his outspoken nature, people often feel unworthy in his presence.
• Desires spiritual growth

:

• This person views spiritual growth of groups as the result of change in individuals. Therefore, he seeks to work on a one to one basis, strengthening individuals so as to strengthen the group.
• Getting rid of imperfections is a top priority. Therefore, he is not afraid to look within himself and to identify those things that need work.
• He is never satisfied with less than his best efforts and often critical of himself in this regard.
• He recognizes the importance of obedience.
• He has strong integrity and usually very moral because he has a keen awareness of God’s presence.
• Prayer

:

• The person with this gift has a more powerful ministry of intercessory prayer than all the other motivational gifts.
• Drama

:

• This person frequently has a dramatic ability to illustrate the truth of God.

 

• The Benefits of this Gift:

 

• Read 1Cor 14:3
• This gift benefits the body of Christ through:
  • Edification, repair, building, improving, exhortation, helping, strengthening, reproving, consolation, encouragement, and comforting.
  • This gift meets the spiritual needs in the body of Christ.
• This gift brings people to accountability of their lives.
• This gift reveals the inner heart and motivations of others.
• This gift brings an inner conviction in others.
• This gift brings people into the awareness of God’s presence.
• This gift makes people fall on their knees in outward repentance.

 

• The Childhood Expressions of this Gift:

 

• The child with this gift tends to be intense, active, a perfectionist, and absolutely people-oriented. He does not like to be alone.
• This child dislikes games of pretend and fantasy, preferring reality.
• This child either excels as a student in school or he does not try.
• He likes to read mysteries, adventure, and books with a moral.
• Sometimes this child is regarded as a difficult child.

• If this child does well, his conscience approves. If he does not do well, he can plunge into deep despair.
• This child has an exterior façade of toughness that covers a sentimental heart.
• This child needs much love and patience. This child becomes frustrated with too much liberty but is irritated by excessive restriction.
• This child is quick to learn but does not have long mental retention.

• Language, Spelling, and Reading are favorite subjects in school.

 

• The Biblical Examples of the Gift of Prophecy:

 

• John the Baptist (Mat 21:32 Luk 3:2-20 Luk 7:18-29)
• Observable Biblical Characteristics: (Luk 2:2-3, 7-20)
  • He desired the plan of God. (2)
  • He received God’s revelation by intercession. (2)
  • He identified evil. (3)
  • He discerned character. (3)
  • He encouraged repentance. (3)
  • He was very frank and outspoken. (3)
  • He grieved over sin. (3)
  • He was obedient to God. (3)
  • He was able to see the blind spots in people’s character. (7)
  • He was very dramatic. (7)
  • He had strong opinions. (7)
  • He had a standard of black and white without grey areas. (11, 13)
  • He demanded spiritual fruit. (11)
  • He promoted growth. (11)
• Others in the Bible with this gift:

• Anna (Luk 2:36-38)
• Mary (Mat 1-2 Mar 6:3 Luk 1:26-56)
• Ananias (Act 9:10-17 Act 22:12-16)
• Hosea (Hos 1:14)
• Jeremiah (Jer 1-52)
• Isaiah (Isa 1-66)
• Jonah (Jon 1-4)

 

• Problem Areas and Cautions that lead to improving this gift—a challenge:

 

• Critical

:

• The person with this gift needs to be careful that he does not develop a critical spirit. Like Jonah, God will deal sternly with this person if he does not learn to pray more and criticize less. Prayer is the safeguard against a critical spirit.
• The only time a person should confront someone is after much prayer and after he receives God’s direction to speak.
• Because this gift can be harsh, he needs to develop new depths of love and empathy.
• Because the gift is often negative in its approach, this person must concentrate on speaking positive attitudes. He must never use sarcasm in his conversation for sarcasm is the tool of Satan. (Neh 2:19-20)
• High Expectations:

• At times this person pressures people to change faster than they are able. He needs to see that a step of progress is valid. He needs to learn to compliment the progress.
• Intolerance:

• This person is convinced his opinion is right and most often he is, but truth has many different parts. He needs to give value to all perspectives.
• Self-image:

• Because this person is introspective, he is aware of his own shortcomings. Therefore he often judges himself as inadequate. He needs to see that his gift is a gift ordained by God.

• Homework:
• Read each statement under “Characteristics”:
• Ask yourself, “How true is this of me?”
  • If the characteristic is never true about you, place an X in the box under “Never”. Then place a 0 in the point column.
  • If the characteristic is true about you only on rare occasions, place an X in the box under “Seldom”. Then place a 1 in the point column.
  • If the characteristic is true about you sometimes and sometimes not (up to 49% of the time), place an X in the box under “Sometimes”. Then place a 2 in the point column.
  • If the characteristic is true about you 50 – 75% of the time, place and X in the box under “Usually”. Then place a 3 in the point column.
  • If the characteristic is true about you most of the time, place an X in the box under “Mostly”. Then place a 4 in the point column.
  • If the characteristic is true about you all the time, place an X in the box under “Always”. Then place a 5 in the point column.
• After completing the columns concerning “Characteristics”, add all the points and place the total in the box at the bottom of the point column, next to the word “Total”.
• Read each statement under “Typical Problem Areas”:
  • Fill in the columns and points in the same way as before.
  • Add all the points of this section and place the total in the box at the bottom of the point column next to the word “Total”.
• Bring your completed test to the next class.
• If you think this is your gift, read the scriptures in this lesson and observe how this gift functions.
• If you are sure this is not your gift, consider your spouse, your children, grandchildren, or friends.

NAME: __________________________

#1 THE GIFT OF PROPHECY (INSIGHT)CHARACTERISTICS	N E V E R	S E L D O M	S O M E T I M E S	U S U A L L Y	M O S T L Y	A L W A Y S	P O I N T S
	0	1	2	3	4	5
1. Rapidly sees what is good or evil, and hates evil.
2. Sees everything as either right or wrong, good or bad.
3. Can easily tell the character and motives of other people or groups.
4. Encourages others to feel sorry for doing wrong.
5. Believes problems and difficulties can produce spiritual growth.
6. Has only a few or no close friends.
7. Views the Bible as the basis for truth, belief, and action in life.
8. Boldly lives by spiritual principles.
9. Is frank, outspoken, and does not have much diplomacy or tact.
10. Is very convincing with words.
11. Feels bad when others sin.
12. Is eager to see his own blind spots and eager to help others see theirs, too.
13. Desires above all else to see God’s will done in everything.
14. Loves to encourage the spiritual growth of others.
15. Prays a lot for others and for God’s will to be done.
16. Likes to dramatize what he “sees”.
17. Looks inside self a lot. (Introspective)
18. Has strong opinions and beliefs.
19. Has strict personal standards.
20. Feels strong desires to be obedient to God at any cost.
TOTAL

TYPICAL PROBLEM AREAS

1. Has a tendency to be judgmental and blunt.
2. Forgets to praise others for accomplishments.
3. Is pushy in trying to get others to grow spiritually.
4. Does not like opinions and views that are different from his own.
5. Struggles with problems of self-image.
6. Has a tendency to criticize.
7. Uses sarcasm to correct others.
8. Has very high expectations of other people.
TOTAL